emerging technology skills among library professionals of ... · traditional librarianship will...

Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services

ISSN: 2231-6094 Vol. 8 No. 2, 2018, pp. 24-32

© The Research Publication, www.trp.org.in

Emerging Technology Skills among Library Professionals of Autonomous Engineering College Libraries in Karnataka

P. Rathna1 and K. Divyananda2 1Librarian, Sri Sairam College of Engineering, Anekal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2Dean, Institute Industry Interface, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, Karnataka, India

E-Mail: [email protected]

Abstract - Library and information centre are of perennial importance to professional education institutions through all ages. Success of any library system depends on its workforce. Skills and abilities of library professionals plays vital role in serving their users to make them successful in their academic endeavors. Emerging technology Skills of library professionals working in autonomous Engineering College of Karnataka are analyzed to find the status of their skills and to make further recommendations. It is found that library professionals are having better skills in handling emerging technologies. Recommendations are made to improve skills further through various suggested ways. Keywords: Emerging Technology, Skills, Competencies, Libraries, Autonomous Engineering Colleges, Analysis, Knowledge

I. INTRODUCTION

Global information scenario is swiftly transforming with the

influence of emerging trends and technologies. Information

technology and libraries are closely related due to their

common entity. Advancement in human intellect, provoked

thrust to accelerate innovations and bring in more and more

novel techniques and technologies. Recent times witnessed

extreme innovations in various fields particularly in the

field of information technology. Ample technologies

emerged out of innovative works profoundly impacted

information creation, management and services.

Emerging technologies gives solutions to many problems,

aides to develop on many existing facilities, and accrue

opportunities to carve new facilities. Trends in information

management and information services are also re-directed

into new paths owing to many influencing factors.

Factors influencing present trends:

1. Volatile technologies

2. Tech-savvy hyperactive user behavior

3. Hyper-connected societies

4. liberalized access to information

5. re-defined data security

6. snowballing digitalization of business and

administration at all levels

7. user centric and user driven content and services

8. Online and collaborative learning environment

ICT technologies intensely influenced all library

subsystems. Library resources are increasingly turning into

digital and online resources. Libraries roles are inclined

towards digital and online information services. Users are

progressively skilled in technology usage and highly

dependent on technology for most of their activities, hence

their information needs and usage. Library operations are

completely mechanized. Technology has also reengineered

library infrastructure and ambience. All these developments

inevitably impacted library profession. Library information

profession is one of the top listed professions, immensely

affected by information technology wave. The core

knowledge and skills of conventional librarianship,

information resources, knowledge classification, knowledge

cataloguing, information services have to be reformed into

the context of information technology environment. Core

skills and competencies have to be blended with technical

skills and competencies to handle technological work frame,

new strategies are required to manage change.

A. Emerging Technologies

In general emerging technologies are defined as the

technologies that are still in the stage of emergence not well

established into their fields of application, seems to be

promising aides in problem solving and open new

opportunities for advancement of areas of their application.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) defined emerging

technologies as “technological breakthroughs promise

innovative solutions to the most pressing global challenges

of our time”.

Key characteristics of emerging technologies are:

1. They lead to improvements in people‟s lives

2. Offer new ways of conducting business

3. Support indigenous practices

4. Radical novelty

5. Relatively fast in growth

6. Coherence

7. Prominent impact

8. Uncertainty and ambiguity.

Consideration of technologies as emerging differs based on

the geographical context and subject area. Many

technologies that are well established in developed countries

are considered as emerging in developing countries, same

way some technologies considered as emerging in a subject

area are not new to some other subjects. Emerging

technologies considered for the study are for libraries based

on the Indian context.

24IJISS Vol.8 No.2 July-September 2018

mailto:[email protected]

Important Emerging ICT technologies identified are:

1. Mobile technologies

2. Cloud computing

3. Web 2.0 technologies

4. Web 3.0

B. Skills and Competencies of Library Professionals

Required To Handle Emerging Technologies and Trends

Propagation of technologies into libraries transmuted all

facets of library system, its workflow and service delivery

methods. Library patron‟s behavior, information needs, and

their service expectations are highly influenced by

technology. Libraries further more have to think out of box

to frame innovative services besides adopting technologies

emerged as per trends. Success of any new technological

implementation, any innovative practices or services highly

depends on the skills of the human workforce handles them.

Hence competent and skilled library human resources are

crucial for success of any library at all ages, but the set of

skills and competencies at present are inclined towards

technology. Library professionals need to advance their

skills and competencies as per changing trends to be

successful in present age. “Those professionals that

anticipate and embrace change constructively, creatively

and intelligently will be the ones, who are most likely to

survive, prosper, develop and succeed rather than decline

and suffer in the future”( Gill, 2016). Agility in

advancement of technology and trends demands library

professionals to be more dynamic, strategic and proactive in

equipping themselves with capabilities to handle any type of

changes.

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Defining the set of skills and competencies required to

implement and manage emerging technologies in libraries is

one of the major objectives of this study. Relevant studies

under taken in different parts of the world are reviewed to

fine tune the study into original and value added tool for

practicing librarians, new aspirants for library profession,

for the recruiters and for LIS curriculum designers.

A. Emerging technologies

Various technologies emerged in recent times highly

influenced libraries Abram (2007), he discussed on web 3.0

in brief, library 2.0, librarian 2.0. Web 2.0 is shifting of web

towards user need, characterized by open communication,

free sharing and re-use, de-centralization of authority. Arora

(2009) presented in what terms library 1.0 has been

transformed into library 2.0 along with highlighting the

advantages of library 2.0 technologies to libraries and also

insisted that use of library 2.0 technologies in library

services will enhance the reputation of the libraries, attract

more users towards library. Scale (2009) put forth the

possible ways of collaborating cloud computing and web

technologies for better library practices and services.

Cervone (2010) argues that librarians need to be careful in

defining emerging technologies since emerging

technologies considered in one context may not be new in

other context. “Impact of mobile communication on

possible wireless libraries is brought out. Economic and

social changes are bound to give a fillip to online or e-

education using Web based technologies” Salgar (2004).

Mobile technologies are highly impacted library services.

“The mobile revolution offers both challenges and

opportunities for academic libraries” Lippincott (2010).

Anbu and Kataria (2015) studied on application of mobile

technologies in libraries, mobile services while emphasis is

given for mobile web sites. technologies may be boon or

bane to libraries alerts Sandhu (2015) in his discussion on

major emerging trends in education system, changing

expectations of students, emerging trends in library and

information field, emerging staff skill set and roles,

challenges in adapting them and opportunities and strategies

to overcome those challenges.

Hayman & Smith (2015) developed a sustainable decision

making model for integrating emerging educational

technologies into library instructions based on literature

review and experience from professional practice.

Sethi (2015) discussed on basics of cloud computing in

library context. There is a paradigm shift in creation and

dissemination of knowledge for which libraries have to

create stage called by Johnson (2016). International

Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (2016)

reported the results of study undertaken by it since 2013. In

2013 IFLA identified 5 important trends and future of

libraries. They hold discussion and conducted case studies

on the identified trends at various countries world over and

confirmed the results of discussions. Some of the highlights

of the trends reported are „Libraries need to adapt new and

innovative procedures and services based on user

preferences‟, „trust, neutrality, free and equal access to

information, and freedom of expression are key features of

the library‟, „Library services are increasingly digitalized

and remotely accessed‟, „Librarians need to indulge in

continuous learning and continuous up-gradation of skills

and embrace new‟, „Coordinated and collaborative working

environment. Innovative and maker spaces should be part of

present libraries Letnikova and Xu (2017). B. Skills and competencies required for library

professionals to handle emerging technologies

Mazumdar (2007) identified some skills required for library

professionals to work in technology enabled web based

borderless library. Identified skills are categorized under

technical skills, traditional, and managerial skills. American

Library Association (2009) presented 27th

edition of Core

Competencies of Librarianship. The technological

knowledge and skills section provides set of skills required

to manage technologies and technological environment in

libraries.

25 IJISS Vol.8 No.2 July-September 2018


Canadian Association of Research Libraries (2010)

prepared Core Competencies for 21st Century CARL

librarians. . Key technical competencies mentioned in the

model are Integrated library systems, Emerging web

technology, Electronic resources management , Web page

development, Institutional repositories, Learning

management system, and Database management. Corrall

(2010) reviewed the changing roles of librarians in wake of

technology intervention with traditional library roles. The

study identified that present day librarians should have

skills to manage hybrid environment both traditional and

technical and called it as blended librarianship means

professional librarian blended with technical skills.

Hui-fang (2010) presented the structural model of

knowledge based librarians in networked environment and

stresses the need for development of structural model to

recognize and utilize the talent and creativity of

knowledgeable librarians to their full extent. Helen (2010)

reported about the research study undertaken in Australia to

assess skills, knowledge and attributes required for

librarians in ever changing world of emerging technologies.

The study identified web 2.0 world and beyond is the most

prominent emerging technology, the paper gives clear

picture on impact of web 2.0 technologies on librarian

profession and on library services. Emerging technologies

calls for new roles and new skills for library professionals,

traditional librarianship will become out dated Sharma

(2011).

Tzoc & Millard (2011) analyzed data from job

announcements in 5 websites and technical courses in LIS

schools and found that 46 percent of positions preferred a

bachelor‟s degree in computer science, information

management or a related field. This may be a confirmation

of the ongoing need to recruit new librarians with those

types of degrees.

Satpathy and Maharana (2011) did a study on ICT skills of

LIS professionals working in Engineering Colleges in

Odisha. Key technical areas for which skills are analyzed

are computer operating systems and programming

languages, library automation, web design and web based

services, digital library and institutional repository.

Arokyamary and Ramasesh (2012) accentuated the impact

of ICT and web technologies on libraries, user and LIS

professionals. Required ICT skills are presented. The

authors are opined that library professionals with up-graded

technical skills can elevate the value of libraries in society.

The border line between the roles of professionals and

paraprofessionals has become blurred, they differs only in

library administration and external factors concluded by

Zhu (2012).

Kattimani and Naik (2013) suggested engineering libraries

to recruit technically skilled staff or train available staff in

technical skills, while concluding that adopting ICT

technologies are mandatory for engineering college libraries

after analyzing the professional and ICT skills of library

professionals working in Engineering colleges libraries

affiliated to VTU university in Karnataka.

Kumar (2013) studied ICT skills of engineering college

library professionals in Rayalaseema area of Andhra

Pradesh. The technical skills analyzed are operating

systems, use of application software packages,

programming languages, managerial skills and other ICT

related activities. The study found that most of the library

professionals studied have sufficient ICT skills but sill there

is a scope to improve their skills.

Sahu (2013) did survey on skills, competencies and current

practices required for present time library professionals of

Engineering Colleges in Odisha, important technical skills

required as per the study are library automation, knowledge

on digital library, web surfing, web design, markup

languages, digital archiving and preservation, and

Networking and hardware.

Radniecki (2013) examines the roles and responsibilities of

emerging technologies librarians using ALA, s JobLIST

database. Trend-spotting & implementation, reference

activities, social media/Web 2.0/outreach, programming,

and instruction are top skills required emerging technologies

librarians.

Raju (2014) reports on the preliminary study, a part of

larger study carried out to frame complete skill statement of

academic library professionals of South Africa in digital era.

Content analysis of job advertisements and interviews were

conducted for this study to find our key skills and

competencies requirement. Impact of technology on

libraries and need to proactively update technical skills of

library professionals are well articulated by Hayman &

Smith (2015) “Since our libraries and institutions are

continually called upon to stay abreast of technological

change of all kinds, practitioners need to be information-

savvy innovators who also view trends with a critical eye”.

Maceli and Burke (2016) presents about a survey of

technologies already using and technical skills LIS

professionals prefer to learn. Clarco (2016) presents finding

of the joint task force formed by Association of Research

Libraries (ARL), the Canadian Association of Research

Libraries (CARL), the Association of European Research

Libraries (LIBER), and the Confederation of Open Access

Repositories (COAR) on library professionals competencies

for e-research and scholarly communication, Open Access,

digital curation and preservation and support for digital

scholarship.

III. NEED AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

As technological advances vibrantly altered library system,

library administrators and service providers should play

dynamic roles with efficiency to catch up with volatile

technologies and technology influenced library patrons.

Extensive studies on skills and competencies required for

library professionals to survive in fast changing


P. Rathna and K. Divyananda

environments are very much required to act as guides for

library professionals. To help library professionals many

professional bodies in foreign countries prepared

competency matrices, but un-fortunately such matrices are

not developed for Indian context. Very few research studies

are done on skills requirement for technology management.

Karnataka being a fast developing state in India and hub of

information technology; is a home for many prominent

engineering and technical institutions. The state is having 21

autonomous engineering colleges which are globally

benchmarked, academically advanced, and infra-structurally

well versed. These institutions are imparting world class

education supplying competent work force to the world.

Analyzing the competencies of LIS professionals working

in these institutions will bring out valuable results, which

will act as a guide and provocative document for library

professionals to develop their efficiencies.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To identify Important emerging technologies applicable

for engineering libraries at present.

2. To identify the set skills required for library

professionals to handle identified emerging

technologies.

3. To analyze the level of emerging technologies skills

possessed by library professionals of Autonomous

Engineering College Libraries in Karnataka.

4. To compare level of skills among different

Designations of library professionals

5. To draw recommendations for improving emerging

technologies skills of library professionals.

V. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Emerging technologies applicable for libraries in the Indian

context, and skills and competencies required for handling

those technologies are determined based on literature

review, and discussion with librarians and experts in the

field of library and information science. Data collection

tools include structured questionnaire, personal observation

and discussion of researcher with library professionals.

Major part of the data is collected through structured

questionnaire. Totally 200 questionnaire were distributed

among library professionals working in 21 autonomous

engineering college libraries, out of which 185 filled in

questionnaire were received. Sample size is 92.5%. All staff

members having library science qualification, designated as

librarian, Assistant librarian, and library assistant are

considered as library professionals and included under

sample.

VI. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS

Distribution of staff as per designation and qualification has

been analyzed to understand the structure and pattern of

staffing. Skills of total respondents in individual

technologies as well as overall emerging technologies are

analyzed. Comparative analyses of skills among different

designations are done. Recommendations for improving

emerging technology skills are drawn. Percentage analysis,

mean, and average mean techniques are used to analyze

data.

A. Staff Details

1. Distribution of staff based on Designation

TABLE I DISTRIBUTION OF STAFF BASED ON DESIGNATION

Designation Number of Staff Percentage % Librarian 21 11.35%

Assistant Librarian 76 41.08%

Library Assistant 88 47.56%

Total 185

Highest proportion of staff is library assistants 47.56%

followed by Assistant Librarians 41.08% and the least

proportion are librarians 11.35%.

2. Distribution of staff based on Qualification

TABLE II DISTRIBUTION OF STAFF BASED ON QUALIFICATION

Qualification Number of Staff Percentage %

PhD 10 5.4%

Pursuing PhD 8 4.32%

MLISC+ Phil 18 9.72%

MLISc+ other

master degrees 15 8.1%

MLISc 90 48.64%

BLISc. 21 11.35%

DLISc. 23 12.43%

Total 185

Majority of the staff are having Masters in Library science

(MLISc.) 48.64 %, PhD. holders even though 5.4% only

considerably good proportion are having prestigious degree,

4.32% are pursuing PhD and 8.1% are having additional

master degrees in other subjects than library science.

Overall status of educational qualification of staff is good.

3. Distribution of staff based on Experience

TABLE III DISTRIBUTION OF STAFF BASED ON EXPERIENCE

Experience Range in Years

Number of Staff Percentage %

1 to 5 28 15.13%

6 to 10 55 29.72%

11 to 15 37 20%

16-20 39 21.08%

21-25 14 7.56%

26-30 6 3.24%

31-35 6 3.24%

Total 185



Highest proportions of staff are in the range of 6 to 10 years

experience (29.72%), followed by 16-20 years (21.08), and

the third largest proportion is 11 to 15 years (20%). Staff

having more than 25 years experience are 6.48%, and very

less proportion of staff are having more than 30 years of

experience (3.24%).

B. Emerging technologies skills of library professionals

1. Knowledge and Skills in Cloud Computing

TABLE IV KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Skills Mean Rank Knowledge on cloud computing concepts and

technology 3.53 1

Knowledge on cloud computing products and

services -Ex Libris4,

Polaris Library Systems8, Dura Cloud2 etc

3.3 3

Skills in using free cloud services 3.44 2

Average Mean 3.42

Knowledge on cloud computing technology and concepts is

the top rated skill with the mean 3.53, whereas Knowledge

on cloud computing products and services is the least

known skill with the mean 3.3. Over all mean of cloud

computing skills is 3.42 which are slightly higher than the

median which denotes better skills, but still there is a room

for improvement.

2. Knowledge and Skills in Mobile technologies

TABLE V KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES

Skills Mean Rank Trans-coding library applications to mobile

devices 2.85 3

Designing & Handling mobile library app 2.92 4

Customizing mobile library website 3.12 2

Knowledge on mobile networking technologies 3.45 1

Average mean 3.08

Knowledge on mobile networking technologies is the top

rated skill with mean of 3.45, followed by customizing

mobile library website with mean of 3.12 levels of both the

skills are above median which shows better skills. But skills

on „Trans-coding library applications to mobile devices‟ and

„Designing & Handling mobile library app‟ are low whose

means are below the median. Overall skills on Mobile

technologies are appreciable with the mean of 3.08 but

needs to improve.

3. Knowledge and Skills in Web 2.0 Technologies

‘Managing library whatsapp group‟ is the top rated skill

with mean of 3.23, followed by „Managing library

facebook/twitter or any other social media page‟ with mean

of 3.22. level of all web 2.0 skills are above median which

shows better skills, except „Instant messaging using RSS

feeds‟ which needs to be improved which is helpful for

delivering quick alerting services to users. Overall skills on

Web 2.0 Technologies are appreciable with the mean of

3.08 but needs to improve to provide user friendly services.

TABLE VI KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES

Skills Mean Rank Developing library Wiki 3.15 3

Managing library blog 3.11 4

Instant messaging using RSS feeds 2.75 7

Managing library facebook/

twitter or any other social media page 3.22 2

Managing library whatsapp group 3.23 1

Web conferencing skills 3.04 6

Chatting services like Skype 3.07 5

Average mean 3.08


TABLE.VII KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN WEB 3.0

TECHNOLOGIES

Skills Knowledge on semantic web technology Excellent (%) 9 (4.86%)

Good (%) 62 (33.51%)

Moderate (%) 45 (24.32%)

Poor (%) 46 (24.86%)

Very poor (%) 23 (12.43%)

Mean 2.93

Web 3.0 skills are lower with the mean 2.93. Library 3.0 is

gaining momentum in recent times and having high

potential to catch up with user expectations in the world of

artificial intelligence induced semantic web. 5. Analysis of overall emerging Technologies skills

TABLE VIII ANALYSIS OF OVERALL EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

SKILLS

Skills Mean Rank Knowledge and Skills in Cloud Computing 3.42 1

Knowledge and Skills in Mobile technologies 3.08 2

Knowledge and Skills in Web 2.0 Technologies 3..08 2

Knowledge and Skills in Web 3.0 Technologies 2.93 3

Average Mean 3.12

Skills on „cloud computing technology‟ are highest

followed by Skills in „Mobile technologies‟ and Skills in

„Web 2.0 Technologies‟. Skills in‟ Web 3.0 Technologies‟

are least. Overall skills on emerging technologies are

appreciable with the mean of 3.12 but nearer to middle

tendency which indicates requirement of improvement in

skills to attain good and excellence status.

C. Comparative Analysis of Emerging technology Skills

Among Different Designations of Library Professionals

1. Knowledge and Skills in Cloud Computing



TABLE IX KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Skills Librarian

Mean (Rank)

Assistant Librarian Mean

(Rank))

Library Assistant Mean

(Rank)) Knowledge on cloud computing concepts and technology 3.85 (1) 3.67 (2) 3.34 (3)

Knowledge on cloud computing products and services -Ex Libris4 ,

Polaris Library Systems8, Dura Cloud2 etc 3.52 (1) 3.17 (2) 3.14 (3)

Skills in using free cloud services 3.57 (1) 3.57 (1) 3.3 (2)

Average Mean 3.64 (1) 3.47 (2) 3.26 (3)

Fig. 1 Knowledge and Skills in Cloud Computing.

In all individual skills and overall skills of cloud computing,

librarians are having highest level of skills with average

mean of 3.64, assistant librarians are having second highest

level of skills with average mean of 3.47, library assistants

are having least skills with average mean of 3.26. Average

mean of skills in all three designations are above the median

which indicates all library professionals under the scope of

the study are having good level of skills.

2. Knowledge and Skills in Mobile Technology

TABLE X KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Skills Librarian Mean (Rank)

Assistant Librarian Mean

(Rank))

Library Assistant Mean (Rank))

Trans-coding library applications to mobile devices 3.33 (1) 3 (2) 2.78 (3)

Designing & Handling mobile library app 3.47 (1) 2.93 (2) 2.77 (3)

Customizing mobile library website 3.71 (1) 3.22 (2) 2.9 (3)

Knowledge on mobile networking technologies 3.61 (1) 3.57 (2) 3.29 (3)

Average Mean 3.53 (1) 3.18 (2) 2.93 (3)

Fig. 2 Knowledge and Skills in Mobile Technology

In all individual skills and overall skills of mobile

technology, librarians are having highest level of skills with

average mean of 3.53, assistant librarians are having second

highest level of skills with average mean of 3.18, library

assistants are having least skills with average mean of

2.93. Average mean of skills of Librarian and assistant

librarian are above the median which indicates good level of

skills, but the Average mean of skills of library assistants

are below the median which indicates lower level of skills.


In all individual skills and overall skills of mobile

technology, librarians are having highest level of skills with

average mean of 3.7, assistant librarians are having second

highest level of skills with average mean of 3.14, library

assistants are having least skills with average mean of 2.89.

Average mean of skills of Librarian and assistant librarian

are above the median which indicates good level of skills,

but the Average mean of skills of library assistants are

below the median which indicates lower level of skills.



TABLE XI KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES


Assistant Librarian Mean (Rank))


Developing library Wiki 3.61 (1) 3.23 (2) 2.94 (3)

Managing library blog 3.76 (1) 3.14 (2) 2.95 (3)

Instant messaging using RSS feeds 3.57 (1) 2.86 (2) 2.57 (3)

Managing library facebook/

twitter or any other social media page 3.76 (1) 3.28 (2) 3.04 (3)

Managing library whatsapp group 3.66 (1) 3.26 (2) 3.13 (3)

Web conferencing skills 3.8 (1) 3.02 (2) 2.87 (3)

Chatting services like Skype 3.8 (1) 3.19 2.79 (3)

Average Mean 3.7 (1) 3.14 (2) 2.89 (3)

Fig. 3 Knowledge and Skills in Web 2.0 Technologies


TABLE XII KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN WEB 3.0 TECHNOLOGIES


Assistant Librarian Mean (Rank))


Knowledge on semantic web technology 3.52 (1) 3.05 (2) 2.69 (3)

Librarians are having highest level of Knowledge on

semantic web technology with the mean of 3.52, assistant

librarians are having second highest level of skills with the

mean of 3.05, library assistants are having least skills with

the mean of 2.69. The mean of skills of Librarian and

assistant librarian are above the median which indicates

good level of skills, but the mean of skills of library

assistants are below the median which indicates lower level

of skills.

D. Recommendation for Improving Emerging Technology

Skills

TABLE XIII RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPROVING EMERGING TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Recommendations Number of

Staff Accepted Percentage of

Staff Accepted Rank

Revision of syllabus by universities as per trends 128 69.18% 5

Arranging in-house training sessions 114 61.62% 6

Deputing staff to external training programs 139 75.13% 4

Initiatives by statutory bodies like AICTE,

UGC to arrange training programs 140 75.67% 2

Motivation by higher authorities to learn new skills 138 74.59% 3

Self motivation and efforts 146 78.91% 1



Fig. 4 Recommendation for Improving Emerging Technology Skills

„Self motivations and efforts‟ is the highest recommended

point with78.91%, followed by „Initiatives by statutory

bodies like AICTE, UGC to arrange training programs‟ with

75.67%. „Motivation by higher authorities to learn new

skills‟ is the third recommendation with 74.59%, followed

by „Deputing staff to external training programs‟ at the

fourth place with 75.13%. „Revision of syllabus by

universities as per trends‟ and „Arranging in-house training

sessions‟ are on lower side of recommendations, even then

they also received good opinion rating of 69.18% & 61.62%

respectively.

VII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Highest number of staff is designated as library

assistants.

2. Majority of the staff are having Masters in Library

science (Miss.). Overall status of educational

qualification of staff is good.

3. Majority of the staff are having experience in the range

of 6 to 20 years, which indicates available staff will

continue in their services for longer periods. It is a

potential for libraries. Developing technical skills by

motivating and helping staff to improve their

educational and technical abilities will be helpful for

libraries in implementing new technologies and

services.

4. Overall Emerging technologies skills of library

professionals are good, except in „Web 3.0‟ technology.

But still needs to develop their technical abilities to

improve quality of technology enabled tasks and

services.

5. In individual as well as overall emerging technologies

skills librarians are having highest rate of skills,

assistant librarians having second highest rate of skills,

and library assistants are having least skills

comparatively.

6. Results indicate that staffs own interest and efforts is

very essential for developing technical skills. Statutory

bodies like AICTE, UGC have to take initiatives to

arrange training programs for up-liftment of technical

skills of library staff. Higher authorities of library and

institutions should be committed to develop their staff

skills by motivating them, deputing them to training

programs, arranging internal training. Universities

should also revise LIS curriculum keeping in mind

present and future developments in library field.

VIII. CONCLUSION

Present volatile technology world is threshold for numerous

technologies, intensely influencing libraries and their users.

It is not an exaggeration to say basic framework of library

system is altered by technologies. Modified library system

and tech-cultured users prompted library professionals to

upgrade their skills and competencies and become bridge

between new library resources, services and users. It is

concluded from the study that library professionals working

in autonomous engineering college in Karnataka are having

better skills to handle emerging technologies, they are also

well off in terms of educational qualification. Library staff

should be proactive in learning new skills to handle

technologies emerging from time to time. Libraries have to

make use of their workforce by motivating and preparing

them to handle present and future technologies.

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